Modeling and evaluation of tensile properties of randomly oriented banana/epoxy composite

The main aim of this study is to compare the experimentally observed tensile properties of banana/epoxy composite with those obtained using various theories of reinforcement. Models used for the comparison are Hirsch, Halpin-Tsai, Nielson, Bowyer and Bader's, and Modified Rule of Mixture. Further, the effect of fiber length on the tensile properties of the composite was compared with Bowyer and Bader method. Of the used theories of reinforcement, it is found that Modified rule of mixture predicts tensile properties closer to experimental values and next comes Bowyer and Bader method.